Kabul, Afghanistan May 2009: Kabul, Afghanistan 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Kabul, Afghanistan 2009

It's that time of year again when I am called back to Kabul, for the seventh time, to bring the support of many donors from the US and to over see the ongoing projects which grately empowers the lives of many women and children. And, to embrace the beautiful children and resilient women I have grown to love. To say that I am excited, is an understatement! To be able to be going again is a mriacle, especially after the many challenges we have faced this year. It will be the greatest feeling to know and see how our efforts have been worth it and will support the lives of many women and children who count on us. I am forever grateful to all of our wonderful donors who truly care about Afghanistan and it's beautiful women and children. I wish you all could be the beneficaries of the love I feel each time I go!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, for being the difference in our world!! In gratitude, Diana Saavedra Haskins

4 comments:

Sandie TillotsonMay 11, 2009 at 10:12 PM
wishing you a safe and successful journey.
Love and prayers with you,
Sandie Tillotson
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BestartdocMay 12, 2009 at 9:48 AM
As Diana's husband, I'm often asked if I'm worried for her. I respond that Diana has found that 1. the actual conditions in Kabul are never as depicted by the news and Diana has never felt at risk, 2. Diana is highly motivated to connect with these of the lowest level of society to provide resources and some meager funds, 3. we feel that by aiding these children, we teach them that others care, that others remember them and we provide an alternate thinking of love other than Taliban and terrorist dogma.

God bless you my dear; He will prosper your way in caring for His children. God is Great.

Scott M. Haskins
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Mom,GramsMay 16, 2009 at 12:06 AM
You are doing a wonderful selfless service for our Heavenly Father's children. I am so proud to know you. Have a joyful, successful and safe journey. Marianne
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UnknownMay 16, 2009 at 7:21 AM
Diana,
I can just see you there! Your documenting your time with the lovely people and your photos bring it all alive.
Give our American love to all your Afghan friends. Tell them we think and pray for them every day!
Be safe,
Love Nancy + Cali
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THANK YOU!

June 1, 2009

I have been home now for a few days and want to finish writing about my wonderful experience in Kabul. But, first I want to say thank you to all of our donors, friends and family for your donations, love, prayers, in kind aid, hand made gifts and support which made this trip another successful humanitarian trip. We are and have been fortunate to have such kind and giving donors and supportive friends who have always made our support to the projects we have helped, possible. The women and children lives have been touched, changed and enriched because of the generous people in our country and I am grateful and proud to know all of you. My life has been richly rewarded by being part of this work now for seven years and I am just as committed as ever to continue our efforts to bring hope to the women and children of Afghanistan.

We will continue our efforts to raise funds for the House of Flowers orphanage, founded by MEPO and the women’s projects run by Suraya Parlika the founder of AAWU, All Afghan Women’s Union. We feel it is a pleasure and a blessing to be able to bring aid to these projects and see the great difference it has made over the years.

I have been blessed to have the loving exchange each year as I travel and spend time with the women and the children. I learn so much from them and know that with our continued support they can and will make a difference in their country and its future.

We each have been a part of bringing hope to these resilient, courageous, loving individuals and again I want to say thank you for all you have done and made possible.

In gratitude,
Diana Haskins

“Education Breeds Confidence, Confidence Breeds Hope, Hope Breeds Peace.”

Stay tuned for more stories and photos about my experience in Kabul.

Be sure to scroll down to see the beautiful hand made thank you cards from the children at the House of Flowers orphanage.

House of Flowers founders

The House of Flowers Orphanage was founded In the fall of 2002, by MEPO (Medical, Educational, Peace Organization) MEPO was founded by Dr. Mostafa Vazari. the House of Flowers orphanage in Kabul, Afghanistan, is in collaboration with HEWAD, an Afghan NGO. Since its inception, the House of Flowers has been an oasis of peace, providing a caring home and an enriching Montessori-style school for some of Afghanistan’s poorest children. Today there are 30 children ages 4 to 15 living at the House of Flowers. Our commitment to the founder, staff and children is to help provide funds and in kind aid as long as we can. After meeting Dr. Vazari in 2003 and bringing in kind aid and small financial donations to the House we fell in love with the children and could see this home/school was a model program and the children living under the care of Mostafa and his staff were very fortunate children living in a very difficult country. We were asked by Dr. Vazari three years ago if we would consider helping to fund raise half of their financial needs and we have been commited to helping them do that every since. Please feel free to learn more about the orphanage and the wonderful and loving children at either web site. http://www.mepoonline.org/ or http://www.aaoh.org/ If you would like to make a tax deductable donation for the house please go to http://www.aaoh.org/ and click on our donation page and send us an email at dihaskins@aol.com letting us know that you would like your donation to be directed specifically to the House of Flowers orphanage. Thank you for your support these children have great potential to be the leaders of their country in creating peace.
"Education Breeds Confidence, Confidence Breeds Hope, Hope Breeds Peace."

Hello Kitty Bandaids, Lapis Lazuli necklace, Womens pics on my bed...

Sunday May 24, 2009

The other morning Negar, one of the widowed women who works at the guest house came and stood in my door way and showed me a cut she just got on her hand. She stood there holding her hand like a hurt child looking at me for help. I brought her in my room and cleaned her hand with my wet wipes I brought from home and then put some sanitizer on it. I tried to explain to her it would hurt/burn for a second. She looked at me with big eyes filled with trust and when I applied it to her cut she started to jump up and down and tried to laugh the pain away still watching me with wonder. I dried it and then put some Neosporin on it and one of the cute little Hello Kitty Band Aids on it a friend gave me to give to the children!! She looked at the Band Aid and her face lit up like a little girl who just had her Mom make her BooBoo all better. She was so cute and we hugged and kissed and I told her to keep it clean. I don’t know if she understood me but it was fun to have her come to me for help. The women who work here are hard workers and I know there lives must be so difficult they always try to talk to me and are so affectionate and sweet when they come in to clean my room. Thanks Valerie for the Band Aids!!! That was a sweet moment.

Parwen one of the other widows who works here at the guest house was cleaning my room while I was on the computer and she noticed all the photos and notes laying on my bed I had brought over from the women in my church who made the T shirt dresses. It was so tender to watch her as she lovingly picked up photo after photo and looked at them longingly. She would pick one up look at it for a long time and then look at another saying they were beautiful. She saw one of an elderly sister and she asked me something in Dari. I think she wanted to know if she was my mother. It was very tender how she studied each face. These women are so precious and they work very hard here and are very honest. I always leave everything out and they never touch anything. Lynda and I have always tipped them at least $20. and the manager asked me not to this year because it is not custom to tip here and $20. is a fortune to an Afghan and it would cause a problem where they think everyone should do it….it’s going to be hard not to. Negar was watching me curl my hair and kept smiling and chatting at me in Dari. They always act like I can understand them it’s so cute yet frustrating that I can’t understand them. I turned around and complimented her lovely Lapis necklace just to be nice and she tried to take it off and give it to me. Oops I never learn…when you compliment something they have they immediately want to give it to you. They have no attachments to things here!! What a wonderful way to live your life only thinking of the happiness it could bring someone else!! Negars husband was killed by the Taliban they slit his throat in front of her and her three children….Yet, she smiles everyday and works hard as the laundry lady to provide for her children…there are so many lessons to learn here…

At night the fruit trees in the yard are lit up with twinkling lights it is very romantic and pretty…everyone who can afford it carries more than one mobile phone (no land lines) because the reception is so bad they have different services so hopefully one will work. At dinner the other night one of the young guys who works for the managers security business had four phones on the table…they were all his and the manager carries five each from a different service. I have enjoyed my trip so much from the beauty and comfort and security of the guest house to the beauty of the children and joy they bring me and the love and friendship of the Afghan’s I know here. This country holds a very special place in my heart and I pray I can always return to help them.

More later…off to shop for the needs list for the House of Flowers.

In gratitude,
Diana

An email to my husband...

Hi Honey,

It's Saturday morning 4:30 AM I came home Friday (the Afghan Holy Day) from a big Afghan lunch cooked by Sami’s family. We had a very nice day with Sami's family. VERY kind people and his father speaks English. He seemed so excited to practice his English and visited with me a lot. He wanted to talk politics and seems to think Karzai will win the election as many here do. Even though they think he will win they are not happy with the way the country’s situation has been under his presidency. Oh, a funny thing…Sami’s younger 16 year old brother looks just like Pres. Obama and his name is Omar. I guess when Obama won the election all the neighbors congratulated Omar on his win!! He is a very cute young man and when I met him I called him Pres. Obama and I teased him that he was not doing enough for my friends in Afghanistan and I wanted to see him really make a difference here. He laughed. He has the cutest big smile and very charming. His father told me Omar goes to the Mosque five times a day to pray. Sami’s family treated me like I was there long lost sister and asked me to please come back and stay a night so we could talk and visit some more! His mother asked if she could have the photo of me and Ashby from my album and when I gave it to her she was just beaming and put it right in front with her few family photos in the cabinet in the dinning room. Her husband said she selected the best photo to keep!! I thought his mother would squeeze my stuffing's out. She was so cute and affectionate! She is Toabakai's younger sister who was also with us and Suraya!! Sami’s parents met and fell in love many years ago when they both worked at the Kabul Times. His mother was a journalist and now stays home to take care of the younger children. They gave me a beautiful Afghan vest for you and my favorite Afghan candy for me. The Afghans are so gracious with their guest. This was very kind of them. Sadly this was the last day with Suraya Parlika and so I had to say good bye to her after they dropped me off at the Guest House. She is flying to Herat and Mazar to spend ten days speaking to many prearranged groups including Mullah's and governors about women's rights. This is always a risk for her but she is determine to make a difference for the women in her country and to educate the men on what the Holy Karan really says about women and how they should be treated. It was hard to say goodbye to her. I have such respect and love for her. She is the most courageous woman I know. I pray she will be safe and will be able to make a difference.

I came in the room and tried to write but I was so tired and my head was still hurting me so I went to bed at 6 PM. I slept through the night. Well, except for bathroom visits!

My head seems to be better this morning, just a slight headache but no dizziness. Thank you for the prayers. I can’t believe how hard I slammed it into the van door frame! Dumb….

We still have not figured out how to fund AAWU’s projects. Since I leave soon, it will be up to Suraya and Rosemary to get together while I'm gone and see how and if Rosemary can use our donations to fund the Women's Rights programs. Suraya doesn't have any literacy centers going right now because she ran out of funds and the rent is so high it drains all the funds. They do not teach handi crafts anymore because there is not a market for it. There are to many things they can get here from other countries. A computer course would be a great vocational program for them if they could raise enough funds for it.

I have not been good about blogging this week. For some reason I don't want to write about the days because I know I will be leaving soon and I'm having a very hard time thinking about leaving.

With permission from the staff at The House of Flowers I have invited a Radio Annoucer/Trainer who contracts with the BBC and is here training the Afghan's, with me to House of Flowers this morning to meet the children. Before going over to the House I had a discussion with her about the use of photos for the protection of the children. She seemed to understand clearly. It is so sad we can't give them more exposure to help raise awareness and funds to help them with the budget. They are in such need!!!

I feel like I need more time here.

Rosemary's assistant is going to start the shopping for the needs list for House of Flowers with our funds, a new generator, 2 computers, one year of Internet, (I'm very excited about this so I can stay in touch with the children and staff) new school books, (the public schools don't provide books) electric sewing machine, (Razia is a very good seamstress) 3 big tables and 30 chairs (they have always sat on the floor for everything school, dinning, etc), carpet for the basement that they will now use for dining, art/crafts and classes once they get the tables and chairs, emergency medical kit, experimental materials for chemistry and biology. And we will provide 6 months of rent for the House.

They are still in need of new mattresses, bedding, pillows, clothes, shoes, washing machine, fans, iron, camera, video camera, cupboards and metal containers for the children to keep their belongings in. Wish we had more in the budget!!!

I offered to help pay for her assistant, Roya's, time to do all this and Rosemary said no she would pay her out of her own pocket and I told her I would leave some money in the account for her to use for her efforts and time and to put towards one of her projects if she wanted to. She was grateful and thanked me.

Zalmai my driver had his three younger darling children with him the other night when he picked me up at the restaurant. It was dark when I walked to the car so I could not see them and when he opened the van door I was greeted with many Salam's and many warm hugs and kisses and he said they were so happy to see me and that they ask about there hala Diana Jon (Auntie Diana Dear) all the time. They were just beaming even in the dark I could see their bright smiles. I was so happy to see them! Oh, how I love the children here! He has two darling and sweet girls, Suraya and Hasina and his little 4 year old boy's name is Mostafa. His older son was with us on Thursday morning he is 15 now and I gave him some money to help with a bike to get to school and back. He is learning English. I gave Zalmai a gift bag of goodies for the children and his wife when I arrived the first day.

Zalmai is building a home for his family. He bought the property for 3,000 and it will take 6,000 to build the home it sounds like it is almost finished. No pluming or electricity or windows will be put in because he can not afford it. It is a four room mud/brick house with a small kitchen. Lynda sent over $200.00 for me to give him (she is so kind and generous) and he was so excited because he said he could afford to put some windows in with that money and that his wife would be so happy. Thanks Lynda!!! Zalmai is from Wardak and it is a very dangerous Provence and being run by the Taliban now and his parents have been asked many times by the taliban if their son works for internationals/Americans and they keep telling them he is just a driver and does not work for internationals/Americans. That scared me! His parents and family could be in great danger if it was found out that he is driving an American Woman around for two weeks.

One of the many projects Rosemary is working on is the girl’s prison. Yes, I said girl’s prison. They have over a hundred young teenage girls living in prison with newborn babies and toddlers. The girls are there because they ran away from older abusive husbands they were forced to marry. It is more than my heart can take to think of this. I saw how the women in prison here live with their young children and this is just awful to think this is the fate of these young girls who want to live without being abused. I can't even write this without crying as I think of how I escaped very abusive marriages and to think if I had no choice but to raise my children in an Afghan prison to be safe. What a horrible fate. I brought some DVD's for the children that I bought just before I left and gave Rosemary a big bag of crayons and finger puppets that Casi had sent me and I offered to give all the teddy bears to her for the babies but she only wanted to take a few and the pattern I had copied so the mothers could learn to make them in the prison. I've thought about asking her if I could go with her to visit but I don't think my heart could take it. I offered to give some of our funds to help and Rosemary said she has the funds she needs right now.

Well, now I can copy this and put it on the blog!!

I love you honey and miss you and Jordan very much. He has been texting me and it has been so sweet to hear from him. Please give him a very big hug for me and one for you as well. I am so incredibly blessed to have you in my life! Thank you for always supporting me and for the way you cherish me.

All my love,
Diana
XOX

Lake Gargha

Tuesday May 19, 2009

started to write this at 8:00 PM went to sleep at 9:30 and woke up at 2 AM...

Be sure to scroll down to see the pix

On Monday morning Zalmai picked me up at 8:00 AM to drive me to the House of Flowers the plan was that I would meet them at 8:30. On the way they called and asked if I was coming that they were so excited should they come and pick me up? So Cute!! I told them I was on my way and would be there soon.

When we pulled up the children were already standing near the bus parked outside the compound waiting for me with the staff. They were all beaming, children and adults. I was greeted with many loving kisses and hugs and BIG smiles from all!! The girls all looked so cute in their new dresses and the boys wore their new red hats. It was going to be a great day!! The teachers Miss Fatima and Miss Qudsia (kootsia) came out to greet me and they both looked so beautiful in their colorful long Afghan dresses high heels and their hair fixed beautifully under their lovely scarves!! I felt a little under dressed in my jeans and black tunic and hard shoes!! But I was going to play and so I dressed comfortably!! I told them they should take me shopping and teach me how to dress. They complimented me and said I always looked beautiful! They are so sweet!! They had an Afghan fan for me (a piece of card board ) to keep me cool. So cute they always think of everything to keep me comfortable!! I was invited to drive in the car with Mr. Nasarat who was wearing a beautiful green chapan ( long Karzai coat) and the teachers but I wanted to ride with the children on the bus!! I kindly thanked them for the offer and the kids grabbed me and we loaded on the bus with Dr. Inayatullah, Fahim, the cook Hala Hajera and housekeepers Hala Pari Gul and Hala Zalaikha and her young daughter and adorable baby grand daughter.

I sat down and Razia quickly sat beside me and we were off to a wonderful day at the lake!! All the kids had an Afghan fan ( note to self bring beautiful fans for gifts next time) but it was nice out since we had left early in the morning and we were able to keep the windows open because there wasn’t much traffic stirring up the dusty roads. The ride was fun and the driver played Afghan music for us on the way. The baby girl with us was being passed around by all the kids. It was clear how much they all adored her!! She was so cute and petite yet spunky like my grand daughter Zoie. Razia took her and she immediately reached out for me. I took her and sat her in my lap along with my camera and shoulder bag. She was playing with my jewelry and looking at me very intently and then she noticed my water bottle and I asked if she cold have some and it became a fun game for her to drink a sip and put it back in the bag. She was very thirsty and played with me for awhile and then became tired. She sweetly put her head on my shoulder and went off to sleep like a little doll. She was so cute. Dr. Inayatullah commented on how she felt so comfortable with me. He told me to give her to her grand mother so I wouldn’t be hot and I said she’s OK I love holding her. She snuggled so sweetly into my neck. It made me homesick for my grand kids!! After awhile the grandmother insisted I pass her back so I would be more comfortable. She was like a rag doll being passed back over the seats.

The drive to Gargha is about 40 minutes out of the city and on the way we passed a tent village where the refuges live. Dr. told me about how some of the older children went with him and Fahim to hand out warm things in the winter and it became dangerous because they didn’t have enough items for everyone so they had to “escape” from there. Hundreds of children die in these tent camps in the winter due to exposure.

Along the way we left the loud dirty city then the heart breaking sight of the tent village and then it turns into a lovely area with tall trees and hills and grass and people sitting on the ground just enjoying them selves. There is a Famous Golf Course on one side of the Lake. I have never actually seen anyone golfing on it. We drove over the Dam and could see the Lake it was a beautiful sea green color and looked so refreshing. There didn’t seem to be anybody else there but us!! There are many tiny vendors along the side of the road where they sell drinks, ice cream, kabobs and other food. There were also these wonderful canopy type tents built off the ground like a oversized bed with colorful cloth on them to keep the sun off you and carpet on the floor that you can rent for the day. The kids were wide eyed as they looked around and were so excited to get off the bus!! We saw boats on the lake and they all asked if we could go on a boat ride!!! Yes!! We were going to do it all I said!!!

We pulled up to the gate of the park area and a very expensive and private restaurant. The men got out of the bus to see if we could take the children into the grounds of the restaurant. The women and children waited on the bus. The children were giddy with excitement and could hardly stand waiting yet no one complained. The boys took turns sitting in the drivers seat of the bus while I took their pictures. Their expressions were so cute and they were beaming. The bus is unlike our buses at home. The seats had red carpet on them and the inside front of the bus was decorated with carpet and hanging fringe from the window. I entertained myself and the children by taking their pictures while we waited.

The Men finally returned to tell us that this was a private club and that only high class people could go inside but that they convinced the owner to let the children just walk around the grounds and see the view of the lake for a few minutes. We exited the bus and the children were immediately picking some yellow flowers near the road side. Razia gave me one and I put it behind my ear. We took some group photos by the flowers and then we walked up the lane to the restaurant/club. Lynda and I had been here before a few years ago in the evening for a quick tour and it was such a beautiful sight to see the lake at night. The children lined up in a row two by two and walked with Fahim and Dr. and I walked with the teachers and the other women and we laughed and giggled like young girls. Fatima and Qudsia looked like movie stars in their sunglasses. They are so sweet and very affectionate with me and make me feel like I am their sister.

We entered the restaurant and there was a large mirror and we stopped to admire beautiful Fatima in the mirror and giggled about how “she was so looking like a
movie star in her sun glasses.” As we walked out the back of the club we saw the lake and the beautiful grounds all manicured with flowers everywhere the lake was so beautiful with the majestic snow capped mountains way off in the distance. There were old fashioned light poles and tables and chairs lined around the edge of the property against the wall that overlooked the water. The restaurant staff brought out cups and soda for us to refresh ourselves and sit for a moment. The kids looked so cute sitting at the tables like important high society guest waiting to be served! We took lots of pictures with the lake as our back drop. I had set my heavy bag down to take photos and after we were done taking the photos in front of the lake view I walked off and left it without thinking. When Mr. Nasrat offered me a drink he asked where is your bag? I was so shocked I had left it behind and he and everyone laughed and showed me that Fahim had it on his shoulder and said we are looking after you!! They are so kind and generous and fun to be with. They enjoy teasing each other in a kind sweet way. There was a beautiful arbor and the girls and women stood under it while I took their photos and then I took photos of the boys near the cute little lake side tables.

After a refreshing soda we walked around the lakeside view and then left the grounds to walk over to the park. The girls took my hand and Fahim insisted on carrying my bag for me and we enjoyed the beautiful view of the lake and the grass area. I told them I had had a picnic there last year with Suraya Parlika and Lynda and a sweet family who just invited us to join them. I was amazed at how we were the only ones there on this day. My last trip to Lake Gargha it was filled with families everywhere on carpets having their Afghan picnics. But this was perfect for the children to feel they had it to themselves for the day! The weather was also perfect very sunny but not to hot and the water was so beautiful. There was a playground near the park and colorful small lakeside homes they rented out for the summer season. The children ran to the playground and enjoyed themselves playing on the merry go round and teeter totters, swings and monkey bars. Even the adults played on the equipment. Hala Hajera and I got on the teeter totter together and Dr. wanted to see if we could balance each other or who weighed more. I won’t say what happened!! Then he wanted to get on with me and see if he weighed less or more than me! We laughed and I said no no that is a private thing for a woman and smiled and jumped off!! He like all of them have a very cute sense of humor. His T shirt he had on that day said “plays well with others” it was true! You can see how much the children love all of the staff members and respect them. We spent some time playing on the playground and taking pictures of each other. Everyone knows how to strike a pose. It’s very cute to see!! The girls were darling in their T shirt dresses and their cute pantaloons or tights underneath. The older girls wear a Chador (scarf) over their hair and shoulders. After playing and picture taking Dr, said we should go find a spot to rent for our picnic that Hala Hajera had prepared early that morning. Mr Nasrat had to leave for an important meeting and I was sad he could not stay with us to enjoy the day. He has the kindest smile. We all said goodbye to him and we filed back in the bus and drove back down the road where all the tent like gazebos were. They rented a lovely private area near the wall over looking the water with three of the gazebo tents to play and rest and enjoy our Afghan picnic.

After unpacking the picnic and carpets they brought we were served Dough (a cold refreshing yogurt drink) and boolani, a flat bread fried with onions inside. It is very good. I was very impressed how they had packed everything we needed for the lunch and how they told me that Hala Hajera and the teachers arrived very early that morning to prepare the food. The women and girls worked busily as they prepared and served us. When you sit in the bed like gazebos you remove your shoes and sit Indian style. This was “just a dessert” Dr said and I said you mean an appetizer. After our yummy boolani treat we decided to take the children on their promised boat ride. They were all so excited as was I!!! We gathered near the water and got on two boats. One was a small motor boat that went fast and the other was a larger one that was covered. Music was playing on our larger one and I ran to the front of the boat and stood like in the movie titanic knowing they would know what I was doing because Titanic is one of the Afghans favorite movies. During the time of the Taliban no one was aloud to sing, laugh, watch TV or movies and many families hid their TV’s and videos for safe keeping. The children and staff laughed when they saw me standing with my arms straight out over looking the water and they asked me to turn around so they could take my picture. Dr. kept saying please be careful Diana Jon (Jon means dear) and they use it when they address each other. He came out to the front of the boat and we took some pictures and then Fatima and Qudsia joined us and we laughed as they tried to maneuver the boat in their high heels and beautiful dresses. We sat and laughed and joked with each other. The children couldn’t resist putting their hands in the water and sprinkling each other with it. Nadia and Lida got pretty wet and were beaming with joy!! Farishtah and Ekram the two youngest children and Mujtaba got up and danced for us during our ride around the lake. They were sooooo cute in their mesmerizing Afghan moves and precious shy smiles. The kids with Nick the night guard and the motor boat driver were whizzing past us and making waves to rock our boat!! We all laughed and squealed every time they did this. The view back to the lake side was lovely with all the colorful little tent gazebos lined up along the water’s edge and the large colorful swan paddle boats. We could see there were people in them sitting in the gazebos eating and just relaxing. Our ride was wonderful and everyone was enjoying themselves so much it was the first time for all the children to be on a boat and at beautiful Lake Gargha. I took lots of pictures of their beaming faces. Even Hala Hajera was enjoying herself. She has a fear of water and boats and she overcame it that day. We were all so proud of her!!

When we finished our boat tour of the lake we went back to our picnic area to have lunch and rest and play. The boys ran to sit in the gazebos near the wall overlooking the water. They were so cute to watch as they watched for fish jumping in the water. There were a lot of large fish that looked like gold fish. They found some string and tried fishing.

Hala Hajera and the housekeepers worked together to warm the food prepared for us. They squat near the ground as they work. I don’t know how they do it!! They must have strong quads!! The older girls also helped. Fahim brought out a large basket with fruit and we took his picture. Everyone was served a banana and a Chinese pair before lunch. Fatima and Qudsia were huddled next to me and Qudsia peeled my pair and served me.

We visited and told jokes and laughed with the adults as the children ran around playing and snacking on their fruit. They brought jump ropes and a soccer ball and the young fishermen were still determined to catch something. Dr. and the teachers were teasing each other and said they should feel comfortable to be open here and not so formal as at work. They did the usual men against the women teasing trying to prove who was smartest. It was cute to watch. Neither Fatima or Qudsia are married. They are both so beautiful and smart I’m surprised some man has not tried to marry them. They both provide a living for their families. Fatima has an elderly mother who is very ill and a sister who cannot hear she cares for besides working every day. Qudsia’s parents have both passed away and she and her brother’s care for a younger sibling and are making plans for her brother to marry. Getting married in Afghanistan is very expensive and they are expected to have many wedding parties for many people to celebrate the wedding. It is a hardship economically for so many.

We relaxed and watched the children play and then it was time for lunch. The girls spread out the mats they eat on like a table cloth in the middle of the gazebo as we sat around it and then they served everyone. Hala Hajera had prepared my favorite Afghan dish Kaboli Palow and there were lovely decorative plates of cucumbers, onions, mint, radishes, parsley and cilantro. There was also the best fried chicken I have ever seen and tasted here in Kabul and red meat that looked like tiny pieces of roast and the traditional freshly baked Naan (Afghan wheat flat bread) for everyone. It comes in big round circles and they fold it in half and tear it for two people to share. It is always placed by your plate when you have your meals. I love the Naan and it is a good thing I can’t get it like this at home!! The lunch was so delicious. Fahim, Dr. Inayatullah and the teachers and I enjoyed each others company as we ate. Hala Hajera joined us once everyone else was served. The children were gathered around their lunches in the gazebos next to us. They were having so much fun together. I have spent so many hours with these children over the last six years and have never seen them be anything but kind and cooperative with each other and show great respect and love to all the staff members. They look out for each other and are so kind and helpful. There are so many who could learn from their example.

I told Dr. and the women one of my husband’s jokes about the Jeannie in the bottle and the three men stranded on an island and how they each were given a wish and one wished to be back home and the other wished to travel to some far off country and then the third one said I’m lonely I wish my friends were here with me and poof the two other men were back on the island. Then I told them about the Jennie and how the man wished to be the most intelligent person in the world and the Jeannie turned him into a woman and we all laughed and the teachers said that was a good joke. I may have changed it slightly for the situation!! Dr. translated it for the girls sitting with us and he changed it to say the Jennie turned the women into a man!!! We all laughed. He is very cute with everyone. There is something so innocent and childlike in the people I have met here. They have such a wonderful joyful way even amongst all the suffering.

The afternoon was filled with laughter and relaxing with each other. After lunch was cleaned up they served chai (tea).

The boys were still fishing and playing and I took many pictures of the children as they ran around and came to sit with us and snuggle. The boys told us to join them near the water and we went over to try to see the fish. After some time we finally saw some. The kids were so excited and one of the boys caught a small crab on the string they had been fishing with. They pulled it out of the water and squealed and then they tried to untangle it without touching it. The young driver came over to try to untangle it with a pair of scissors without touching it. It was getting more tangled up and I couldn’t stand watching them try to gently untangle it and cut the string off because it kept dropping on the cement even though they were trying to be very careful. I went over and picked it up from behind and the kids and the adults squealed and ran as I stood there and untangled it. It was so cute and Dr. said Diana aren’t you afraid it will pinch you. I said if you hold it like this it can’t pinch you and besides do you really think I am afraid of a cute little crab when I come all the way to Afghanistan. We laughed. I noticed the young drive had disappeared I must have embarrassed him by taking over his job. Oops. Ziba had my camera and took a few pics of me holding it and pretending to kiss the crab. I was teasing them as the girls ran away! It was funny. I said hodofus (good bye) to him as I released him back into the lake. And all were happy!! Dr. Inayatullah gave me the most wonderful compliments on my happy attitude and how the children loved me because of it and my kindness how grateful they were to me for bringing them here and for all I have done for them it was very kind of him. I am the one who is so lucky to be with them and their very gracious loving way.

It was time to clean up and go back home. The children all worked together to help pack the bus and clean up. The women had washed all the dishes and had everything packed for the children to load.

I was invited to ride in the air condition car again and I kindly declined so I could ride with the children. Every minute with them is precious to me as I miss them so much when I return home. They each have a very special place in my heart and I want to remember every moment with them. The bus ride was quiet as the children were tired sweet little Farishtah fell asleep and tiny Ekram moved in close to her so she could lean on his shoulder it was very sweet to watch. If only all of us could be so kind and generous as children are. That is why I love being with them so much because they are so innocent and close to god. We passed the tent village and I decided to take pics from the window of the bus of the sights we were passing. When we returned home I was invited to come inside and I thanked but asked if they could take me back to my guest house as I was tired. The girls all wanted me to stay and I told them I would be back tomorrow. They asked if they could go with me to on the ride to my guest house and Dr. said why not and before I could say boo, Ziba, Nadia, Razia, and Lida piled in the back seat next to me with the biggest smiles on their faces and giggling all the way. Little Farishta rode up front on Fahims lap while the driver took us to my guest house. They were excited to see where I was staying. Once we arrived I gave all the girls a kiss and said I would see them tomorrow. It was the best day!! I will remember it forever!! Aaah

In Joy,
Diana

Sunday events

Tuesday May 19, 2009

3 AM….

Sunday was a very busy and productive day.

I met with Rosemary Stasek first thing in the morning to go over the funds she graciously let Lynda and I wire through her Tax exempt organization “A Little Help”

Rosemary is an American from CA and she has been living in Kabul for over 5 years. She and I met on our first trip here in May of 2002 we were on the same delegation, room mates and became friends. We ran into each other right after our trip to Kabul on the Top of the Basilica in Florence, Italy of all the places to see each other again!! It was amazing and so fun. I had just climbed the millions of stairs to the top of the Basilica with my husband and we were walking around looking at the beautiful city and taking photos and I turned around and there was Rosemary standing in front of me with her big beautiful smile!! We squealed and hugged and had a great visit on top of Florence, Italy!!

We have stayed in touch every since. I have admired her work in Afghanistan so much!! She is a very courageous, dedicated, gracious and intelligent woman. She drives herself around Kabul just like it was CA!! Be sure to look at her website http://www.alittlehelp.org/ and see the wonderful projects she has successfully accomplished for the women and girls.

After we met and discussed how we thought would be best to disburse the donations we went to House of Flowers to have a meeting with the Administrator to discuss what paper work had to be done and go over their needs list. I was very impressed with Rosemary’s knowledge of how to run and NGO and all the logistics of working in Kabul!! She is sharp and I hope to learn so much from her.

I can not express how grateful Lynda and I are to Rosemary for her gracious support in helping us get the funds here after AFC put us through a very difficult time just weeks before I was to come here and ran scared and decided to no longer help Afghanistan!!! It is there loss as far as I am concerned!!! I am grateful for the years they helped us, but very glad to move on to a much better partnership with Rosemary!!

After our productive meeting at House of Flowers she drove me to have lunch at the Kabul Café. It is a charming place where I guess everyone goes “to be scene and to see” we visited over a couple of chicken burgers and fries catching up on family and our personal life events and the current events in Kabul.

Rosemary reminded me it was going to be our seventh year anniversary this week for our first trip here!! Some of the other members of the original delegation are here and we are all going to try to get together. It will be so wonderful to see them again. I am so impressed with how many of the original 26 members are still dedicated and serving the people of Afghanistan. After lunch she drove us to her home/office and she kindly had her Chukidoor run a few errands for me. He exchanged currency for me and picked up a sim card for the mobile phone. She was very gracious to make sure I had all I needed before we arranged for Suraya Parlika to pick me up for a Women’s meeting where she would be speaking.

The Women’s meeting

The meeting was just around the corner from Rosemary’s place. We entered the compound walls and were asked to sign in I was greeted by the men in Dari and once I signed my name in English they laughed amongst each other saying they thought I was Afghan!! I get that here all the time and I take it as a compliment as I think the Afghans are some of the most beautiful people in the world.

The meeting was held by the Women’s Political Participation Committee. It was held in an old historical home and in the gardens under a beautiful Afghan canopy. I was greeted very lovingly by the women with three traditional Afghan kisses and hugs and saw many of the women who are members of Suraya’s org All Afghan Women’s Union, (AAWU). There must have been at 75 women there and a few men. Suraya was one of the featured speakers. Sami came to translate for me. I was so grateful once he arrived as I don’t understand much Dari and it is so frustrating to want to communicate with these courageous women and not be able to. There was a women dressed in her full police uniform and hat she looked beautiful. I wanted to get a photo of her but was not able to before she left. I only took a few photos after the meeting as to be respectful as most of the women do not like their photos taken and published without permission. The meeting started and Suraya was the first speaker. The main thing I got out of Sami’s translation was that with the upcoming elections for a new President the women need to come together and establish women’s rights and support each other and educate the women in the rural area’s of their rights and help them to know how to learn about the candidates and who to vote for and how to vote. Unfortunately and sadly the women are not united in their efforts and they discriminate against some ethnic groups in Afghanistan this has been one of this countries biggest problems for creating peace. I was very sad to see and hear this is a problem amongst the women. If they don’t come together they will never be a force of empowerment and bring hope to their country.

Some of Suraya’s and others quotes… “We can do everything in community” “44% of the women participated in the last election for the Parliament and it did nothing for us as women” “In unity we can elect the best candidate” “The government works for men not women” We have lost seven years and we should prove our power as women” “We are in a democracy only in word” 1 million women have been killed since by war.

A News station was filming the meeting called Voice of America. I’m probably on TV somewhere as I was on the front row and he kept filming me and Sami. The women signed a petition after the meting and Sami explained to me that most of these women will now go back and work for themselves and not for the good of their country unlike Suraya who is completely committed to serving the better mint of her country and the women.

As I have been here I have heard many stories about the corruption of so many Afghan NGO’s and Afghan’s in America who are raising funds for their country and the money goes into their own pocket and for their own families. I know some of the people who have been accused and I am greatly upset by it!! I hope this is only a very small percent of people doing this dishonest work! It is unimaginable to me that someone could be dishonest and not bring the aid to the people in their own country. They have suffered so much and need so much help.

Suraya visited with the women when the meeting was over while Sami and I walked around the garden and visited. He is the kindest young man and I have felt very close to him on this trip as he has shared many things in confidence with me like I was his Hala “Auntie”. He has the greatest respect for Suraya as many men and women do. She brought him to work in her office when he was a young teenager and taught him so much and he feels indebted to her and he has seen with his own eyes her honesty and fearlessness in her work for bringing hope, education, literacy and rights to the women.

Suraya was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 and we (AAOH) took her to the UN to speak and attend many important meetings there. It was a very exciting time and
an honor to be with her. I toured ground zero with her on a bitter cold evening and it was overwhelmingly emotional for me. I felt like I had come full circle since that is where this work started for me on 9/11 after having a dream about the Afghan women pleading for me to help them .I will never forget how I started to cry standing there with her looking at the huge hole and thinking of the thousands of lives lost in our country and how this horrible circumstance brought me to the work that I love. Suraya looked at me crying and in her very loving way put her arms around me and said we must go this makes you sad and I don’t want you to be sad. Because of the language barrier I could not explain to her that I was filled with many emotions, sadness for the tragedy in my country and the suffering in her country yet, grateful for the blessings of meeting and knowing her out of all of this.

House of Flowers

After the 3 hour meeting many of the women from AAWU climbed into the van with us and Suraya’s driver took me to the House of Flowers where I spent the evening playing with the children and watching the girls select their new dress for the picnic for Lake Gargha the next morning. They were giddy and danced and twirled in the dresses as they tried them on!! It was adorable!!

I went through a visual exercise I had learned years ago and taught my boys with the children about honesty. I had Nadia stand up in front of the other children and hold one of her arms straight out and asked her to tell me her name and told her to resist me pushing her arm down after she said me her name. She said my name is Nadia and I tried to push her arm down and she was able to resist me. I then asked her to tell me her name was Farooq and try to resist me. She said my Name is Farooq and I was able to easily push her arm down!! The kids awed and were wide eyed and all of them wanted to try the experiment. Which they all did!!! I explained to them that being honest is one of the most important decisions they could make in their life and if they are honest they can see that they will become strong in spirit and body and they will believe in themselves and others will respect them and they will be able to accomplish many great things. It was a good lesson and they seemed to really understand. They are all very honorable children already but I really wanted to show them this visual example the importance of honesty.

We played and laughed and lit the rooms up with the glow sticks I brought again for them and they begged me to sleep over. I kindly declined as I knew I needed my rest for our big day together!! I stayed for dinner and they asked me questions about where I live and about America. They are very curious and smart children and I adore being with them. The staff members are so complimentary and constantly tell me how much the children love me and look forward to my visits so much and that they think I am the kindest women they know. I am always humbled by their gracious compliments!! I feel blessed to know them they have given me so much love and joy!! My heart expands so much when I am with these children and I feel like a child again myself. Which is a great blessing as my childhood was filled with so many sad memories of abuse. I have healed in so many ways as I have been able to serve the children and women here in this great an amazing country.

More later….in Peace, Diana

Sunday May 17, 2009

2:45 AM Yawn…

House of Flowers

My sweet driver Zalmai picked me up on Saturday morning and after a wonderful and happy greeting he said he was so happy to see me, his sister, again and welcomed me back to Kabul. I have such fondness for him and the gentle and caring way he has watched over me and Lynda while we have been here.

House of Flowers is about 20 minutes from the guest house and we had a nice visit on the way catching up about family and his new job.

I was so excited to be with the children…they were expecting me on May 14 TH and I guess they were all watching for me and finally I showed up two days later. I felt bad I had not gotten over there earlier. Oh my goodness the happy greetings and beautiful smiling faces were wonderful the hugs and kisses and just their sweet expressions of joy to see me was amazing!!! They have all grown so much since last March and I was able to meet the new children who have moved in since my visit last year. They are all adorable and sweet children. The teachers and Fahim as always were very gracious and expressed their happiness to have me back to visit. I always feel like a celebrity when I am with the children they have such a special way of making everyone feel so welcomed and loved. If they only knew how each of them have touched my life in so many ways!! Most of the girls and some of the older boys were at public school.

The first thing they wanted to see was my family pictures I brought. They always get so excited to see them. They look at each picture and study the faces of my children and grand children so lovingly. They wanted to arrange them on the floor and study them and I told them they could take the photos out of the small album they were in. They were very careful about how they handled the photos. Each child and grand child was arranged and rearranged in different orders on the floor like a puzzle or a pyramid or a collage. It was darling to watch every child want to play this game with the photos of my family. They commented on how beautiful my grand children are. They love blonde hair and thought the twins were the cutest babies they had ever seen!! My new daughter in law, Alisha, has a new special place in their hearts as my son Preston is a favorite CoCo “Uncle” of theirs. He was there with me in 2003 and they all still talk about him even the new children know who he is. They kept saying she was such a beautiful bride and Razia took out a Blonde Barbie doll which she had crocheted a beautiful wedding gown for and the children all said it was Alisha, Preston’s bride!!! So cute!! They love the connection with our family. Even the three dogs have a special place for them. They wanted to know all about them and who bathed them and what kind of tricks could they do and could they please come to visit some time!!

Red Hats

The red hats with their names on them were a hit!!! Thank you Lynette and Vivian!! When I pulled them out to give to the boys the Teachers told me they had been asking for hats to keep the sun off their faces. You should have seen the smiles on their faces as each of the boys saw they had their names on them. The cutest thing was that the only girl home during this was the smallest child and she is new and one of the hats had her name on it!!! Pretty special coincidence since we only meant for them to be for the boys!!! I think that was meant to be!!! She was beaming and it could not have worked out more perfect!!! Farishtah had a red hat just like the boys!!

Razia and Nadia loved their new necklaces and picture from Hala Judy. Shukria was at school so I will make sure she gets her later.

I gave the children a small art set and some zoo animals and maps. They played and found places they knew on the maps and pretended the animals were travelers across the continents!! So cute!!

I asked about the boxes we had shipped months ago with the dresses for the girls and the teachers and Fahim were so proud to tell me they were saving them for me in the basement and had written “Do not Touch” on them in Farsi!!

I was invited to have lunch with them and as always there is a special place up front with a pillow for my back and we had a delightful and entertaining lunch together. Fatima and the other teacher Miss Qudsia were sitting next to me and offering me vegetables and a tiny fried bird which looked like it was a chickadee it was so small. Miss Qudsia asked me if I liked green peppers and I said yes, she offered me one and just as I took it Fatima had put one in her mouth and the poor dear turned red and squealed as she took it out and put it on the mat!! It was extremely hot!! Miss Qudsia quickly grabbed the one I was holding out of my hand and said don’t eat it!! They did not realize they were very hot peppers. Poor Fatima was red and crying her mouth was on fire. I said she needed to eat some Naan (afghan bread) one of the children ran to get her some water. She was in so much pain tears where running down her beautiful cheeks yet she was still smiling and laughing. I told her a family story about my husband and his collection of hot sauces and how he told our oldest son Ryan at dinner one night he would pay him $6.00 if he would taste the Dave’s insanity sauce. Not being able to turn down the dare, Ryan took a spoon and poured it on and gulped it down and in two seconds fire was coming out his ears!!! Fatima and the children laughed and she said you should pay me $6.00 as the tears were still streaming down her face!! I told her she and Miss Qidsia saved me from an awful pain as I was about to put one in my mouth!! I decided to just try a tiny bit and just the quick small taste of it made my mouth burn for awhile!!! Fatima said I will give you 6 Afghanis (Afghan currency) for tasting it!! We laughed!!!

After lunch Fahim carried the boxes up stairs for me and he and I sorted through all of the dresses and tried to arrange them in sizes. The girls will select a few they want and have a fashion show for me in a few days they will also wear one on our field trip to Lake Gharga on Monday and then I will give them the photos and letters from the women in my church who made the dresses. The teachers were so excited when they saw the dresses and said they were perfect and just what the girls needed to make them feel pretty!! They ooed and awed over each one as we pulled all 120 out of the boxes!!

My sons Lego’s

There was another box that I had shipped along with the dresses and meant for them to open before I got there but they had been saving it for me to open it with them. It had educational books, a wonderful solar system on a stand and a globe which spinned from a Montessori teacher back home. There were also small toys, jump ropes, puzzles, clothes baby t shirts which happen to be needed for one of the guards for his new baby I love it how these things work out. Then we pulled out a very big bag of my son’s Legos. The children had not seen Legos before and when I dumped them on the floor they all gathered around and seemed like they were not quite sure what to do with them at first. They started slowly sorting through the tiny pieces and finding treasures which lit up their faces and I could see their minds working and seeing how they could put these together and make things from them. All of the children were gathered around in a tight circle and selecting pieces they wanted to play with. Even the teachers and Dr. Inayatullah were joining in the fun. Everyone was smiling. I was sitting on one of the piles of dresses squished between the children and watching as they magically figured out how to create new things with the Lego’s their imaginations were working full blast and it brought tears to my eyes as I thought of my three little boys who are now men and how they use to play with these for hours and hours I saw them in their room sitting on the floor just like these darling children and now the same Lego’s which have been sitting in my garage for years are bringing joy to the children we love far across the world. I am always touched by the innocence of these special children and how they take such great joy in the smallest of things. The teachers expressed how important it was to have joy in the small things. Oh, how I love these two young women they are so beautiful and loving and have done such a wonderful job with the children.

We planned a field trip for Monday!! Lake Ghaga a favorite place of mine and the kids have never been there. Everyone is very excited!! It will be the best day!!! The teachers shared the children’s need list with me and so I have some shopping to do, a new sewing machine for Razia and the girls. Razia loves to sew and the pedal machine they have doesn’t work anymore. The children want to learn how to be computer literate and so I will find them a new computer and they could really use a table and chairs. They always sit on the floor and it is hard on the body. Especially mine!! Miss Qudsia said we would need candles to have a romantic dinner when we get the new table and chairs. They are so charming!! We will just have to do that!! And maybe we will have pizza one night, too! They had it once and loved it. There is a good pizza parlor here where Lynda and I had lunch with Allison one afternoon.

The Spigot

One of my most favorite movies is “Under the Tuscan Sun”. I have watched it many times!! I love every scene in this movie, but one in particular is comes to mind. The scene where Dian Lane “Francesca” bumps into the dried up spigot in entry way of her charming and broken Tuscan home she has just bought to get away from her broken heart and start a new life, leaves a bruise on her arm and as she rebuilds her home and her life and opens her heart to new love and cares for others and shares her home with new and old friends and finds herself again by giving to others the spigot begins to drip and at the end of the movie after finding love she is standing in the entry in a beautiful white dress barefoot and the spigot is pouring water out onto the floor on her bare feet and she has the most overjoyed expression on her face!! I have felt like this so many times in my life in the past 11 years as I think of the many years of pain and abuse before and then the joy that came from opening my heart one more time to a wonderful loving man and how our family has brought us so much joy and building our dream home together and then the pain of 9/11 and how it led me to Afghanistan to serve the women and children. Being here again with the people I love so dearly makes me feel like I’m standing near an overflowing spigot and I’m filled with love. The letters from home and the support has filled me up and I appreciate the love we all exchange so much!! Always keep your heart open, never loose your childish wonder and take joy in the smallest of things!!!

In Joy,
Diana

Friday May 15 2009

Saturday May 16, 2009

Friday is a holy day for the Muslims they gather with family and have picnics and enjoy each others company. I was invited to have lunch with Tobakai’’s family. Sami Suraya and Tobakai picked me up around 11 and we drove off onto the very dusty streets of Kabul. Many people were out and I was impressed by Sami’s driving. He has his license which not many people here have!! There are still no driving laws being honored and it is a crazy time and as I have said many times before the only time I feel at risk!! Women and children were dressed in their best and there are many weddings on Friday’s the wedding cars all always decorated with faux flowers and lots of streamers the traffic stops for them and the wedding party. I think we saw at least 20 or more wedding cars yesterday!!

I can’t remember the Afghan name but Sami told me Roshana his aunt and Tobakai’s sister lives near an area they call Apple Gardens. The drive there was very bumpy the roads still are so terrible if you can call them roads…it’s more like dirt biking in a very rutted terrain with rocks and hard dirt and people walking everywhere. Cars, carts with horses, bikes, motorcycles and the hustle of everyone trying to get to their destination is a bit crazy. I think my heart stopped 5 or 6 times thinking Sami would hit someone. They have no fear when walking on the streets adults and children just bolt into the street and expect you to stop for them.

Sami was going to take a short cut down this hill that looked like we would go off a cliff and Tobakai was clenching the handle above the door saying “nay nay” which means no. We were all laughing because he wanted to go down it and she was saying no and Suraya was saying “Bali” yes lets do it. I was just holding on for dear life and praying!! He got to the edge and then backed up!! I thought Tobakai was going to come out of her seat! She was riding in the front of the van. We were all laughing and Sami said he loves to take risk and Suraya said she does to. She is so full of life!!! I love her passion and fearless way. I told her she was invited to join me on my fiftieth birthday next year when I go sky diving and she seemed very excited about that idea!!! We always have fun together laughing and enjoying being together!

When we arrived at Roshana’s home we were greeted with great warmth and welcomed into the front room to sit and visit. Roshana’s and her young daughter Zorra were very gracious hostess’s and served us fruit to eat while we visited and they brought me bottled water. The Afghan’s are always so gracious and serve with the utmost attention. They asked is I was comfortable or if I wanted to take a nap or just rest on the lovely pillows on the carpeted floor. I sat on the sofa with Sami and we talked about his family while Suraya and Tobakai stretched out on the pillows and talked with Roshana. It was so nice to see them so comfortable and chatting away. They seemed very happy in their discussions. Tobakai and Roshana are from a family of nine children Sami’s mother is one of the sister’s and they usually all get together every Friday. There are over 60 grandchildren!!! Wow!! I thought grandchildren six was fun!!

Zorra kept coming in and out and being very attentive and she and Sami had a very cute teasing battle going on. There sense of humor was charming and fun. She is darling and was so sweet and shy. We looked at my family photos and Sami wanted to keep my son Preston’s wedding announcement I had with me. I had two and he was so cute when he said you must have meant to give me one of them. They love picture from back home. He coud not get over my beautiful family. He was so cute when he saw the Yorkies pics. He could not believe they were real he said no one in Kabul would believe they were real. The dogs here are pretty ruff looking and don’t get the kind of care our pampered pets get back home.

Zorra was the one who did all the cooking. Kaboli Palow (my favorite dish) it’s a beautiful dish of rice, diced carrots and raisins and they mound the rice over the top of meat. Aushak, which is like a pasta dish with meat and sauce and yogurt on top. The soup was very good and we had a lovely salad of cucumbers and fired meat which Sami told me they called sandal meat. Like a pair of sandals you where on your feet. I don’t usually eat red meat but it was good. I always have to be careful when eating with the Afghans because they love to fill your plate for you and Suraya kept putting more food on my plate and then Tobakai was on the other side heaping more food on it. Needless to say I did not eat dinner last night!! I was embarrassed as I could not finish everything on my plate and they always clean their plates. They were asking me if I was OK and why I only eat a little!!!

After a beautiful lunch we sat on the sofa again. Zorra brought a tray of lovely china dishes filled with dried raisins, pine nuts, chick peas, walnuts and more yummy dried items to snack on along with tea. I had my herbal tea. Sami translated for Suraya and told me about her projects. She has been traveling to dangerous Provence’s to teach the women about Women’s rights. She has many centers running and she and Tobakai hold lectures and speak to the Mula’s and the war lords or governors’ in the area’s and get them to understand that women need to be taught their rights. She said out of a hundred people in the classes 25 are men learning beside their wives.

Sami told me about a three day workshop they were holding in one Provence and he said the Mula was sitting in the front of the meeting with his scarf over his face only showing his eyes. It is not custom for strange men and women to see each other. By the second day he was showing his face and at the third day he took off his scarf and was talking and joking with the women in the room!!!!! Suraya can work miracles!! She and Tobakai use the Holy Koran to show the men how the women have rights and need to be taught that they are not just a piece of property. When the men say that the women already know this Suraya will ask the women if they understand these ideas and when they say no she shows them with the men present, in the Koran how it is written that men and women are equal and the men give in and allow the workshop to go on because they honor what it written in the Holy Koran. Then they are able to introduce the women to vocational skills and literacy classes. This can make such a huge difference for each of them and their children.

I was so impressed by this and I could see as Sami was translating how proud Suraya is. She and Tobakai take great risk to do this work. Neither one of them are married and they have devoted their lives to serving the women in their country. I have such respect and am so honored to know them.

I must leave for House of Flowers will write more later today!! Why are my eyes so tired…Uhg!! Can’t wait to see the children!! XOX Diana

Early Morning post....

4 AM Friday May 15, 2009

Waking up to the call to prayer or was it the call to the bathroom that came first? Which ever, I love hearing the hypnotizing sound of the call to prayer every morning …and now the birds are chirping and it is still dark out!! Can’t get an online connection anymore but it was great while it lasted!

Suraya Parlika looks good I was shocked to see she has let her hair go almost all white. It’s very pretty on her. She never seems to age which is unusual for Afghan women living under such harsh circumstances. She has so much energy. She pushed my very heavy luggage around on the cart refusing to let me do it and everyone talks to her and greets her with such respect even the men. I adore her and respect her tenacity and resilience so much. She is a great example of courage, selfless service and determination for us all. She is worried for her country and told me 44 people are running for the presidential election in August she thinks Karzi will win. She has many centers for women in Provence’s outside of Kabul and they all have at least one social worker and two other staff members. The coed classes teach women’s rights and children’s rights!!! Yes, I said men and women in Afghanistan learning together about women’s rights!! I hope I can visit one of them it is very dangerous to go outside of Kabul though.

Suraya has a lovely young woman named Shabana working for her in the office and translating for her. She is so innocent and childlike and loving. She was so excited to meet me and very affectionate and complimentary. I enjoyed our visit very much at lunch. It was an honor to have lunch in Suraya’s home instead of the office. Suraya seemed very happy to invite me to her home. She kept asking if it was OK and if I was comfortable. When her father was alive we only visited her home once to meet him. She lives on the top floor of an apartment building built by the Russians it was bombed by the civil war. Her apartment has a huge whole in one room where a bomb came through it.

Suraya and Tobakai visited with me in my guest room while Suraya’s driver ran a few errands for me, bottled water, sim card for Lynda’s phone and picking up my ugly picture (no smiling aloud) I had to take for my exit visa.

I offered them trader Joe’s apple bars while we visited and I unpacked. I have the nicest room this time, of course, it is more expensive, but I really like it. Internet cable, king size bed, sofa and table, glass shelves on one side of the room and a desk in front of three big window seats looking over the lovely Afghan garden. The roses are blooming. There are few very dusty and dirty cats running around the yard.

There is a new manager on sight. I believe he is originally from Australia. Nice guy, but would not come down on my room price for me…they have always been so nice to give Lynda and I a good price for our rooms. Not this year!! And the dinners are more expensive but the food here is always very good and I don’t get sick eating here. That is a major plus!!

I met two of the guest last night at dinner. Nice men. Retired Army servicemen from the US living in Hungary and “making a killing” exporting and selling soft goods/gifts to the PX here on base and many others around the world!! They love to talk and are full of great stories about the Hungarians and Russia and the Mafia!! Never take a train ride in Hungary is what I got out of it or try to improve your home without planning on being ripped off. We talked for hours after dinner. It was fun. They are like mutt and Jeff one very tall and burly and the other gray and short slight build with a serious matter of fact way about him, but very nice. “Jeff” helped start a School in Afghanistan that teaches English with his Christian friend s and church. Nice! Once they found out I was a member of the LDS church they became very respectful in their language and said they had LDS friends in the service who they respected a lot for their strong morals and values. Nice!

I share a bathroom with them. Weird and uncomfortable for me since I am so private but hopefully I’ll manage. I have no choice!! Ha!

The manager shared a few stories at dinner about a friend of his, a retired serviceman who is in his 70’s and living in Kabul and helping to get young women into shelters here who are being abused by their much older husbands. He also sponsor’s them out of the country. He was telling us about one young woman who was forced to be married to the Chief of police and how he tried to protect her and was being threatened and followed by the thugs the Chief of police sent after him and he still keeps doing what he is doing. I love the stories of all the diverse people here living and working to make this a better place.

Today Suraya is picking me up for an Afghan picnic and to go to Tobakai’s sister’s home to learn how to make Aushak. I will always think of our lunch at Suraya’s office a few years ago when they were telling us we were having Aushak for lunch and Lynda said who’s Aushak? We all laughed. She innocently did not know Aushak was a traditional Afghan dish. Cute!! Miss you Lynda and everyone sends their love and best to you!!! I’ll be giving them their gifts from us today. Thanks again for doing the shopping. I put a set of the beautiful cards from the Afghan treasures exhibit and a few other things inside for SP and Tonakai and Sami.

I’m going to try to go back to sleep for a few hours…..

Friday 8AM

It’s a beautiful morning a little breeze in the garden and it’s very quiet. I heard the guys taking their showers early this morning and then I took mine at about 6 AM. I put my makeup on sitting in the window seat in my room looking at the garden. I don’t miss my lovely SB garden so much being here. I’m having a bowl of oatmeal I brought from home and a cup of herbal peach tea for breakfast. I spent some time getting all the gifts for friends organized and ready. I always wish I could bring more. As it is I paid $100.00 for overweight baggage!! UHG!! Yesterday I was showing Suraya and Tobakai the gifts I brought for the children and the finger puppets Casi found and sent to me to bring. They were so cute and acting like little girls looking at everything so, I gave them each a puppet and a Disney kaleidoscope. The Afghans are so innocent and child like in so many ways. I love their childlike wonder and innocence!! They take pure joy in the smallest things. It is a great lesson I relearn each time I am with them.

I can’t wait for the day to get started. I expect Zalmai my driver will show up to surprise me this morning even though it is a holiday. I hope to go to the House of Flowers this evening just to say hello. I can’t wait to see the children and the staff!!!! They are such a joy to be with. They must all be really big now.

In Kabul safe and sound

Thursday May 14 TH 4:34 PM

To many friendly men in Dubai...one guy kept staring at me while I was online this morning in the lobby...he waved through the window and motioned to me to come outside. I, of course, declined and tried to ignore his stares...then later he came in and came up to me (smoking his nasty cancer stick) and tried to talk to me in Arabic when he realized I was from the US he asked me something in English which I did not understand...I said I was on my way out and tried to let him know I WAS NOT interested...he asked if he could take me somewhere. I said NO and looked away. The shy bell man and the men at the desk were watching out for me and gave him a strange look as they escorted me to the shuttle bus. I know what my husband is thinking right about now...about the time when I was in Kabul with Judy, Preston, Casi and gang and we were waiting to catch our flight home and a young man working in the airport who had become very friendly and been staring at me said to me "You are every mans fantasy woman" LOL!!! I was old enough to be his mother and I told him so!!! It has since become one of my husbands favorite sayings!!! From him it's nice....

I'm lucky to have caught my flight to Kabul this morning. Afghan airlines is notorious for deciding to leave when they want and not when they are scheduled to leave!! I left my hotel at 5:15 AM and made it to the terminal at 5:30 thinking I had plenty of time to catch my 7 AM flight. Got up to the counter to find I was the last person they were going to check in and they were closing the flight because they had decided to leave at 6 AM!!! (It's a good thing I decided not to go shopping which I was thinking of doing!!!) They had to make sure my luggage had been transferred and the guy who took my passport to check on the luggage left my passport sitting in the luggage area...he had to run back and get it and then three men escorted me to the gate and then put me on the hot bus, fuming with the exhaust coming inside...to wait for one more young guy!!! The flight was loud and stunk to high heaven of some very strong herb they were carrying to Kabul. When I walked on everyone had their nose covered and I wondered if it was me since I didn't have any deodorant with me that morning...but I soon realized it was something else...man it was powerful stuff!!! Even burned my eyes. There is something about flying on Afghan airlines. When I first get on I am nervous because the planes are very old and very loud and make noises I don't hear on other airlines and then as soon as we get into the air it is as if we are being carried by angels and just floating...I've felt this many times on these flights...maybe it's just me and my continuous prayer...The last few years I have been flying business class on the last leg to Kabul so I don't have to be stuck in the back like chattel...It is the only way to fly on Ariana. Leather oversized seats...I was in the very front of the plane this time and had a chance to peek into the cabin as they often keep the door open. We had a tiny omelette and beans and weenies for breakfast!!! Not exactly Afghan food!! The mountains were exquisite snow capped and vast!! There are so many beautiful things about this country!

Once we arrived I got off the airplane and could smell the Afghan air. It's kind of funny how they make you get on a shuttle bus to ride about twenty feet to the entrance of the airport!!! All they do is flip a Uy and there you are! Welcome to Kabul Airport!! Once inside you go through passport control the women are ushered to one side and the men on another side. I could see Suraya Parlika standing right behind the passport control booth as soon as I got in line. It was a very good feeling to see her. Her hair is mostly white now and she looks good. We had a very warm greeting and she took my hand and led me to the baggage area and we visited and hugged and I gave her every ones hello and warm thoughts from back home!

We visited for a few hours and had a wonderful Afghan lunch at Suraya's home...Kaboli Palow, Bulani, Naan, Subsi...with very dear friends... Suraya's driver picked up bottled water and a sim card for me while I had another ugly serious photo taken for my departure visa..(no smiling aloud) then they took me to the guest house. Tobakai and Suraya stayed with me for another visit in my very nice and big room with a sofa and three big bay windows looking into the garden and watched me unpack. I'm now sitting at the desk with my lap top and looking out my guest room windows at the gorgeous rose garden and green yard with blooming fruit trees...Oh it's good to be here!!! Ah Kabul...no place like it!!!

More later...my eyes are slammin!! I'm happy and feeling safe. Tomorrow is a holiday and Suraya is going to pick me up for a picnic and go to Tobakai's sisters to learn how to make Aushack a famous Afghan dish!! Wish you were here, Lynda, to make it with me!! Remember....."Who's Aushack?"!! Miss you!!! Suraya sends her love to all!!!

Love to all,

Diana

Made it to Dubai

Hi all, In Dubai it's very hot and busy here at 3 AM. My 16 hour flight here was very comfotable watched three movies a very interesting documentary had a nice dinner and tried my best to sleep. I love Emirates airlines they are the best!! I had three seats to strech out on which made all the differnce!! I arrived here around 7:40 pm and made the very long walk to customs and out of the airport to catch a taxi. As soon as I stepped out the hot air took my breath away.....man it gets so hot here!! I can't believe people vacation in this! It is a very cool and interesting place. I've spent time here sightseeing and have really enjoyed it. Judy and I had lunch at the top of seven star hotel that looks like a sail at the end of a peninsula on one of our trips back it was amazing, fun and very expensive!! When I went to catch my taxi to my hotel the man ushered me to a line where women taxi cab drivers were standing next to their tan taxis with pink roofs wearing very cute pink uniforms and hat with the beautiful cream scarves they where here. My driver was a sweet young woman from Sri Lanka. I thought it was fitting...that I would ride in a half pink car with a young woman in pink....because of my Mary Kay days! She asked me if there were any female taxi cab drivers in the US. She only drives women and families. This was my first time to have a female taxi driver. The hotel K Porte Inn is nice I tried to sleep and kept waking up every hour and just decided to not fight it anymore and got up at 2 AM!! I leave for the airport at 5 AM. I'm thinking of home and everyone there and missing you all already!! I wanted to go shopping here but decided I better not go out by myself. Maybe on my way back home.This place is dripping in gold!!!!!I'm looking forward to seeig everyone in Kabul. My dear friend Suraya Parlika will be picking me up at the airport...we don't know which airport as Kabul has built a new one since I was there last year.!! It should be interesting to see how we find each other!! Take care Love to all, Diana XOX

A poem by Obaid

I water the gravestone of my mother I go around the tomb of my compassionate mother *I sacrifice my life for your beautiful eyes *Where is your handkerchief that I could smell and put on my face? *Oh God you took away my father Why are my mother and father separated from me? Where are they to unite their boys? *Who is there to call me? My son come, come to the arms of your mother. *Come in my arms my mother In my arms lie my mother and my father *I want to become the wind to be blown away Oh my kind mother, Oh my beloved mother I make the dust of your grave a makeup to put on my face Your beautiful eyes, oh my mother *I’m crying and tired oh my mother I always respect you my Mother And I call your name loudly, Mother *Life without Mother and father how difficult it is, Oh God *What if my mother was alive, Oh God *And in my heart wouldn’t be so much fire, oh God *Oh my heart you betray me You separate my mother from me *My mother and her two black eyes were the light of my life *And when you left, my life went away and I became blind *Your alive in my heart I sit by your grave and I cry, oh mother Oh my mother if I could reach you I would not let you lie in the dust Oh God, Oh God *Oh my mother you don’t come and get news from me *Oh cosmos you separated my mother from me Oh you separated my mother from me *Mother is sweeter than honey and sugar Mothers are compassionate *Come my mother so I can kiss your face *Oh compassionate mother *Oh my mother I go around your grave I sacrifice my life for your tomb *I stretch my arms so I can raise them towards the sun, towards God So that I could request the return of my mother *To whom should I tell my story and my crying heart that my mothers separated from me? Oh God, Oh God

How it all began.....excerpts taken from Mariam Heads article in Networking Times Jan/Feb 2005

Diana Haskins’ story is one of tremendous hope for children all over the world. The children of Afghanistan have lived through the horrors of war, malnutrition, personal abuse, lack of education. While many of us empathize with the reports we hear about such misery, Diana Haskins is doing something about it. She has embraced the children and women of Afghanistan who suffer from all this and more, putting her boundless energy, faith and resources to good purpose. Will you join with her to make a difference?

9/11: Acceleration
On September 11, 2001. Diana's husband Scott woke her up to tell her the dreadful news.

When I watched in horror as the towers fell, my first thought was about how this was going to affect our children, all the children of the world and all our futures? As a mother, I felt compelled to do something, but I didn’t know what. I fasted and prayed for days asking to be shown a way to make a difference in healing our country and helping the children of this world.

At first, Diana and Scott decided to take the money they were planning to use to build a teahouse on their property and send it to the victim’s families in New York. Poised to write the check, Diana got a profound feeling to direct her funds elsewhere. But where? As she had done so many times in her life she turned to God for her answer. The answer came from an unusual place.

Diana “just happened” to catch the last minutes of the Larry King show and heard the tail end of his interview with an Afghan woman.

With her back to the TV audience, she was describing the horrors of life in Afghanistan. At the risk of losing her life, the woman spoke out against the Taliban and the oppressive situation for women in her country. ‘I wish you could see her beautiful face,’ said Larry King. ‘If you want to help the women and children of Afghanistan, you can learn more at this web site.

The web site URL was emblazoned in her memory.
I put my boys to bed and went to that web site. I read story after story of oppressed lives and sobbed. I was upset with myself because I didn’t know about the women and children who had suffered there for so many years.

Diana knew that she was now being given the tools to manifest God’s love and a serious opportunity to help. She decided to use the teahouse money to help rebuild a needed hospital.
I told Scott, not only was I going to write out the donation to them, I was also going to raise millions of dollars for these people to help them.

I had never done anything like this before. I started fundraising without knowing how I would succeed, yet believing with all my heart that I would succeed. I realized that I knew how to put teams together, motivate them, share stories with them, and get them enrolled in a cause, said Diana.
That night, Diana went to bed and had a profound dream that still moves her to tears in the retelling:

I dreamt that thousands of Afghan women in their blue burqas were pounding on my door, pleading with me to help them. I woke up from that dream and literally felt a physical pain in my heart. I knew that for whatever reason, I was to be a part of this work. I gathered many friends and contacted the organization that had brought Larry King’s Afghan guest to America.
This was the beginning of a community of people who would reach out with their hands and their hearts: the Afghan Academy of Hope (www.aaoh.org)

The Afghan Academy of Hope
Diana’s passion for serving these women and children moved her to travel to Afghanistan six times, with her seventh trip scheduled for May 2009.

I want to be a part of this work, not just writing checks and raising money. To be hands-on, serve them, work with them, know them, bring hope to them.
Each time Diana traveled to Afghanistan; she went to meet a specific need and once there, discovered another one. She would return home committed to meeting each need. Her first trip focused on education and supporting ongoing projects that gave the women and children vocational skills.
AAOH has supported many programs over the years to bring hope to the women and children of this war torn country. In 2002 we supported the reconstruction of a hospital to aid the refugees moving back from Pakistan. AAOH also supported a school and vocational program which ran a medical clinic for 700 orphans. In 2003 Diana and her son Preston, who was 18 at the time, escorted a professional photographer, Judy D. Peckham and a team of therapist who addressed the serious trauma the women and children had suffered after many years of war. Using a Trauma Reduction protocol created by Casi Kushel, MFT, the therapist and Diana worked with many children living in orphanages. The team taught Afghan women the skills necessary to continue the therapy when we returned home. AAOH left the women a stipend to support their efforts.

House of Flowers
In 2003 AAOH partnered with another organization to support a private orphanage/Montessori school called the "House of Flowers" where 30 children live in a home of love and peace. These bright and beautiful children have since started their own "Seeds of Hope" project where they find ways to provide aid to the refugees living in tent camps near them and the children living on the streets. They bring them warm blankets, coats, hats and gloves and share their flour in the winter months. The children even manage to give small amounts of money to those in need. AAOH also supports a Women's vocational and literacy program directed by Suraya Parlika, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. This vocational program provides literacy and vocational skills to 300 women and girls each year. AAOH also provides funds for a Car Maintenance and Repair Vocational program for the older boys in the government run orphanage in Kabul. AAOH also donated funds to help build a beautiful library and computer learning center for 3000 children served by the two government run orphanages in Kabul. The list of heart warming projects and In Kind aid given since the tragic events of 9/11 is long and only possible through acts of kindness from American's who have so generously supported these programs; which provide Hope for the women and children of Afghanistan.
Diana feels it is a great blessing in her life to be able to travel to Kabul every year to bring aid, and over see the ongoing projects made possible by the donors of AAOH. Being there allows her to embrace the brave and resilient women and the beautiful children she has grown to love dearly. I went to serve them and found from my first trip there that the women and children have given me so much more than I could have ever imagined. This service has blessed me and my families’ lives immensely. When I look into the eyes of the children I see their suffering and know that we are doing what our Heavenly Father wants us to do to serve his children and bring them hope.

Kabul, Afghanistan May 2009

Monday, April 27, 2009

Kabul, Afghanistan 2009

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House of Flowers founders

Hand made Thank You Cards for their friends in America

Hand made Thank You Cards for their friends in America

Shukria kissing her Hawaiian teddy bear

Hand made Teddy Bears made by the young women in my church

Hand made Thank You Cards from the Children at House of Flowers to donors and friends in America

Thank you cards From the children at House of Flowers orphanage

To make a donation for House of Flowers...

House of Flowers

Hello Kitty Bandaids, Lapis Lazuli necklace, Womens pics on my bed...

An email to my husband...

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The House of Flowers Staff

Lake view

Mariam, Razia and Lida

Lida in her favorite color, Pink!!

Play Ground

Teetor Totter

Gul Mohammad everyone loves him. He is the big brother!

Ramin

Beautiful Teachers Qudsia and Fatima

Boys by the Lake

Hala Diana on the Teetor Totter

Miss Hajera

Dr. Inayatullah

Fatima Jon

Razia and Ziba

Boys on Gazebo/Tent

Hyat and Naqibullah

Ramin and ShahinShah

Shukria

Razia, Farishtah. Dr.Inayatulla and Lida

Suraya Parlika 2005 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

After the Women's meeting

Sunday events

Sunday May 17, 2009

Friday May 15 2009

Shopping

In Roshana's rose garden

Washing up before lunch

Lunch at Tobakai's sister's home

Early Morning post....

Afghan Roses

Le Monde Guest House

In Kabul safe and sound

Made it to Dubai

House of Flowers

A poem by Obaid

Obaid a young courageous boy who lived at the House of Flowers

Diana and Anita

How it all began.....excerpts taken from Mariam Heads article in Networking Times Jan/Feb 2005

A mother with her child

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